We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anton Savenko. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anton below.
Hi Anton, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Lately I’ve been filming a lot of artistic segments that highlight the tragedies happening in Ukraine, as well as interviewing refugees and their family members to help tell their stories. I’m from Ukraine, and as everyone knows, our country is (still) going through the worst imaginable war possible. The only good that has come from this nightmare is that I have since connected with so many people in Austin’s Ukrainian community, which much larger than one would think. I’ve always a had a very supportive group of friends in Austin’s film scene, but now it is like I have extended my family with these fellow Ukrainians. Over the last several months I have made lifelong friends with people who, like me, originally came to America hoping to find success amongst their passions, but who are now hurting and heartbroken seeing their country being torn apart day after day with no end in sight. This is the first time I feel like my love for filmmaking has taken on a whole new meaning because now I am doing it with a greater purpose: to help spread awareness and to help tell the stories of my country.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Movies always fascinated me from a young age. I thought it was amazing how you could capture a story through a camera and how many things had to happen just right to make a film look so perfect. Like most parents though, my mom wanted me to go to college so that I could eventually get a stable career. I started classes to become an accountant but ultimately my dream took hold of my attention and eventually pushed me to move to the United States to pursue the life of a filmmaker. I started the same as almost everyone else: I bought a small, cheap camera that I could play around with, learn inside out, and start capturing anything on film. I knew it was the right decision to change career paths after working on a few small indie film sets and putting together a few of my own ideas for short films and music videos … I never grew tired of the grind, only hungrier for more and eagerly anticipating the next time I would step on set. It wasn’t and still isn’t always easy to get work, you truly have to “hustle” as they say. But that’s what makes it so rewarding, because if you truly love something you will do anything to keep going and stay on that path.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part so far has also been the most heartbreaking — the opportunity to combine my love for filmmaking with my passion for my country. It is a bittersweet silver lining with everything going on right now … I’ve recently met and connected with so many other Ukrainians in Austin and we are using film and art to tell the stories of our people and spread awareness to the rest of the world to share what’s really going on. We are connecting with others yes, but the war brought us here. It is extremely sad to think about. I often have thoughts about moving back to Ukraine to try to use my skills to help people out there in any way I can, to just try to do something… anything.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As you continue journey you get more experience, grow and change your style. I was lucky to met many friends and colleges who helped me learn and grow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @savenko__anton
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savenkoan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-savenko-882236152
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/SavenkoFilm